Civil Engineering Professor Appointed Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers

Dr. Clint Wood joins approximately 3% of ASCE members who hold Fellow status, an honor recognizing engineers who have made significant contributions to the civil engineering profession. Candidates must meet professional experience and licensure requirements and undergo review by the society's Membership Application Review Committee. A geotechnical engineer, Wood specializes in geotechnical earthquake engineering, soil dynamics, dynamic site characterization and engineering geophysics. His research uses geophysical methods to better understand subsurface soil and rock conditions and applies those findings to earthquake engineering and the evaluation of civil infrastructure.

A U of A alumnus and Arkansas native, Wood earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from the U of A in 2007 and 2009, respectively. He earned his doctorate in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 2013 and returned to the U of A that year as an assistant professor. He is now a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering.

At the U of A, Wood established the Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering Laboratory, where his research group studies geotechnical earthquake engineering and civil infrastructure evaluation with an emphasis on noninvasive geophysical subsurface imaging. These methods use measurements made at or near the ground surface to characterize subsurface conditions in a manner similar to how medical imaging techniques provide information about structures inside the human body.

Wood's research has been supported by federal and state agencies, including the National Science Foundation, Arkansas Department of Transportation and U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, as well as regional research centers and industry. His work has addressed practical engineering challenges involving bridges, transportation systems, levees, earthquake hazards, landslides, rock characterization and other critical infrastructure.

Wood has worked extensively with ARDOT on research to improve the characterization of subsurface conditions for transportation projects. ARDOT has awarded Wood over $1.1 million in research grants to develop more accurate and cost-effective methods subsurface imaging, updating liquefaction triggering procedures, improving survey procedures using UAS and investigating deep sedimentary basins to improve bridge design. These projects earned him the 2019 Most High-Value Research Project honor from the Region 2 Research Advisory Committee of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

Wood's research also has significant applications in earthquake engineering. In 2021, the National Science Foundation awarded him $502,000 to advance imaging techniques aimed at improving the safety and resilience of buildings, bridges and roads, particularly in earthquake-prone areas.

More recently, Wood is serving as co-principal investigator on the $4 million Geoengineered Materials Solutions project funded by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. The project investigates engineering solutions involving geoengineered materials with Wood's part focusing on characterizing subsurface materials using non-invasive geophysical methods. The project received an EXECEL-AR award in 2026.

His earthquake research has taken him into the field following major seismic events around the world. Wood has participated in National Science Foundation-supported Geotechnical Extreme Events Reconnaissance missions following earthquakes in New Zealand, Haiti, Ecuador, Mexico and Türkiye, among others. These reconnaissance efforts collect perishable geotechnical and geophysical data following major earthquakes to learn from the devastating events and improve our understanding earthquake engineering and infrastructure design.

Wood also serves the profession through ASCE and its Geo-Institute. He currently chairs the Geo-Institute's Geophysical Engineering Committee, where he works to advance the use and understanding of geophysical methods in geotechnical engineering practice and research. His activities include promoting collaboration between geophysicists and geotechnical engineers, supporting technical programming and knowledge transfer, organizing and moderating technical sessions, contributing to conferences and technical publications, and reviewing research for ASCE journals.

His election as an ASCE Fellow recognizes his contributions to geotechnical earthquake engineering, engineering geophysics, civil engineering education and service to ASCE and the broader civil engineering profession.

About the American Society of Civil Engineers: The American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 160,000 members of the civil engineering profession in 177 countries. Founded in 1852, ASCE is the nation's oldest national civil engineering society. ASCE stands at the forefront of a profession that plans, designs, constructs, and operates society's economic and social engine — the built environment — while protecting and restoring the natural environment. Through the expertise of its active membership, ASCE is a leading provider of technical and professional conferences and continuing education, the world's largest publisher of civil engineering content, and an authoritative source for codes and standards that protect the public.

About the Department of Civil Engineering: Established in 1897, the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Arkansas is renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and innovative research. Accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), the department offers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students for successful careers in civil engineering. With a focus on hands-on learning, cutting-edge research, and industry partnerships, our faculty and students tackle critical societal challenges in sustainable infrastructure, transportation, structural, environmental engineering, and water resources. Dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, the department equips graduates with the skills and professional network necessary to excel and make significant contributions to the field. For more information, visit our website.